Case ReportsThe Role of Surgical Debridement in the Treatment of Systemic Tetanus A Case ReportSamson, Trinity K. BS1,2; Bono, Kenneth T. MD1,a Author Information 1Department of Orthopedics, Akron Children's Hospital, Akron, Ohio 2Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, Northeast Ohio Medical University, Rootstown, Ohio aE-mail address for K. Bono: [email protected] Investigation performed at Akron Children's Hospital, Akron, Ohio Disclosure: The Disclosure of Potential Conflicts of Interest forms are provided with the online version of the article (https://links.lww.com/JBJSCC/B970). JBJS Case Connector 12(4):e22.00367, October-December 2022. | DOI: 10.2106/JBJS.CC.22.00367 Buy Metrics Abstract Case: Tetanus is a potentially life-threatening infection of Clostridium tetani characterized by painful muscular spasms and hypertonia. Surgical debridement of infected tissue is intended to reduce the number of spores and limit the extent of the disease. We report a case of an unvaccinated 13-year-old adolescent boy who presented with systemic tetanus after stepping on a nail, and we describe the role that surgical debridement of infected tissue plays in optimizing outcomes. Conclusion: Orthopaedic surgeons must remain aware of the role of surgical debridement of wounds potentially infected with C. tetani because it is an important component of proper management. Copyright © 2022 by The Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery, Incorporated
